Glenn Presnell took over the program for one season after serving as an assistant under Lawrence McCeney "Biff" Jones. Presnell coached only one season before leaving for the war. He played for Coach Ernest E. Bearg at Nebraska from 1925 to 1927, and Presnell was the first of four former Nebraska players to serve as head coach.

Before spending one season as Nebraska's head coach, Presnell was a two-time first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference back for the Huskers.

Presnell went on to spend nine seasons in the National Football League, including three years with Ironton Tanks (1928-30), three seasons with the Portsmouth Spartans (1934-36) and his final three years with the Detroit Lions (1934-36). In 1935, Presnell led the Lions to the league title and earned his highest professional salary of $4,000.

The DeWitt, Neb., was a first-team All-Pro in 1935. He had previously earned second-team all-league honors and on Oct. 7, 1934, Presnell booted a then-NFL record 54-yard field goal. His record stood for 19 years. In 1933, he led the NFL in scoring with 64 points, including a league-leading six field goals.

After retiring from pro football, Presnell spent one season as an assistant coach at Kansas, before returning to Nebraska to serve as an assistant coach under future College Football Hall of Famer Lawrence McCeney "Biff" Jones from 1938 to 1941. After serving as Nebraska's head coach in 1942, Presnell spent three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Following the war, Presnell returned to Nebraska for one season as an assistant coach under Bernie Masterson in 1946.

Presnell moved on to Eastern Kentucky where he spent 17 years as a football coach, including 10 seasons as the head coach from 1954 to 1963. He also served as athletic director at EKU from 1961 to 1971.

Presnell was born in Gilead, Neb., on July 28, 1905. Prior to his death on Sept. 13, 2004, Presnell was the oldest living former NFL player.